Ambient Acrylonitrile Levels Near Major Acrylonitrile Production and Use Facilities

摘要

In this study, ambient acrylonitrile (AN) levels were measured in the vicinity of two major AN user facilities and two major AN production facilities. Approximately 100 duplicate air samples were collected on charcoal sorption tubes at different locations at or beyond the fenceline of each plant and analyzed by gas chromatography. The data obtained showed a definite presence of AN downwind of each plant. The levels found, which varied from a high of 130 part per billion (ppb) to trace amounts (below 2.5 ppb) varied considerably depending on the date, the sample location, and the plant tested. The data shows higher levels of AN near use facilities than near production facilities, but factors such as distance from potential AN sources to sampling points may have influenced the results.